Many visitors never cross the Bosphorus except on a ferry ride. Those who stay on the Asian side often say it was the best part of their trip. Kadıköy has a lively food market, independent cafés and bookshops, a seaside promenade in Moda and a much more local feel than the old city. It is also only a 20-minute ferry ride from Karaköy and Eminönü.

Areas within Kadıköy

• Kadıköy centre (Caferağa, Osmanağa): the market streets around Güneşlibahçe and Serasker Caddesi, the Bull statue (Boğa) and the ferry terminal. Busy, colourful and full of places to eat.
• Moda: a residential area on a small peninsula south of the centre, with a seafront park and tea gardens popular at sunset.
• Fenerbahçe and Kalamış: green, quieter coastal areas with a marina.
• Bağdat Avenue, Suadiye and Bostancı: a long shopping street further east, with upmarket shops and restaurants and several larger hotels.
• Kozyatağı: a business area near the E-5 and the metro, with modern hotels and serviced apartments.

Getting around

• Ferries from Kadıköy pier to Karaköy, Eminönü and Beşiktaş run frequently throughout the day.
• Marmaray trains from Ayrılık Çeşmesi or Söğütlüçeşme go under the Bosphorus to Sirkeci and on to Bakırköy.
• M4 metro runs east along the Asian side towards Kozyatağı, Bostancı and Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is closer to Kadıköy than Istanbul Airport (IST), which makes the Asian side convenient for flights from SAW.

Hotels in Kadıköy and the Asian side in our directory

• Address Istanbul – Ünalan, Üsküdar
• ByOtell İstanbul – Kozyatağı, Kadıköy
• Dedeman Bostanci Istanbul Hotel & Convention Center – İçerenköy, Ataşehir
• DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul – Moda – Caferağa, Kadıköy
• Hilton Istanbul Kozyatagi – Sahrayı Cedit, Kadıköy
• Holiday Inn Istanbul – Kadikoy – Egitim, Kadıköy
• Hotel Suadiye – Suadiye, Kadıköy
• Hush Hostel Lounge – RasimpaşaRıhtım Cad, Kadıköy
• Juliet Rooms & Kitchen – Caferağa, Kadıköy
• Mezzo Hotel – Osmanağa, Kadıköy
• Park Dedeman Bostanci – İçerenköy, Ataşehir
• The Marmara Suadiye Residence – Suadiye, Kadıköy
• Wyndham Grand Istanbul Kalamis Marina Hotel – Fenerbahçe, Kadıköy

Who Kadıköy suits

• Repeat visitors who have already seen the main sights.
• Food lovers: the market, meyhanes and dessert shops are a big draw.
• Longer stays and remote workers, thanks to cafés and serviced apartments.
• People attending clinics on the Asian side, for example in Ataşehir or Kadıköy.

Things to know

• Choice of hotels is smaller than in Beyoğlu or Sultanahmet; book early in peak season.
• The last ferries are earlier than the last trains; check times if you plan to stay out late on the European side.
• Football match days at the Fenerbahçe stadium make the area very busy.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kadıköy far from Sultanahmet?

About 20 minutes by ferry to Eminönü plus a short walk, or two stops on Marmaray from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sirkeci.

Is Kadıköy safe?

Yes, it is a busy residential and student area and generally considered safe day and night.

Where else could I stay on the Asian side?

Üsküdar is more traditional, with mosques and Bosphorus views. See our overview where to stay in Istanbul.